OSS Watch - RSC Roadshows

by Randolph Metcalfe on 1 November 2004

Introduction

Who attended these events?

The target audience for these events include:

  • IT technicians and service managers who may already have some experience with Linux/Unix but would like to take that further
  • IT technicians and service managers with no previous experience of open source software who are looking for relevant cost effective solutions for current IT challenges and perceived future challenges
  • ILT managers who wish to gain some familiarity with a growing array of open source software that is currently being used to meet the needs of teaching and learning

Programme

Each event had a maximum of 40 participants. They were hosted by the local RSC. The typical programme for each event was: TimeAction09:30Registration and Coffee10:00Welcome and Introductions10:15The Open Source Landscape: Participants will complete an open source audit to examine their institution’s current deployment of open source software. Initial experiences of participants will be shared. An initial priority list of issues for participants will be established.10:50Open Source Challenges and Opportunities: Consideration of open source solutions is often a strategic decision made by institutions. Participants will explore arguments for and against open source deployments, and consider how best to incorporate consideration of open source software in institutional IT strategies.11:30Support, Interoperability, Migration: Dividing into 3 groups, participants will explore one of the issues faced by any institution that turns to open source solutions. Each group will feed back to the whole its findings.12:30Lunch13:30Demonstrations: A lively demonstration of a number of open source applications, many of which will be found on the copy of Knoppix and TheOpenCD that each participant will receive.14:30Case Study: This presentation, from a local college, will address the real-life issues of open source use in colleges.15:30Resources: The final session of the day will concentrate on what resources are available for those who wish to learn more about open source software or require assistance with their open source deployments. Each participant will be asked to identify actions they will carry forward from this event, whether that be to seek further information, revise their IT strategy, or develop a migration plan.16:00Close